Minneapolis Institute of Art

Long-handled Censer

Japan

Date

18th-19th century

Medium

Silver with traces of gilding

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The long-handled censor is an important symbol of authority, held by high-ranking priests as they lead other monks through the temple to the main worship hall. In Buddhist ritual, the burning of incense before a holy image is one of six devotions considered to be effective in accruing religious merit. The diffusion of fragrant smoke symbolizes the permeation of Buddhism throughout the universe. Japan, Asia

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